A strengthening northerly airflow lies over New Zealand today, a front moves onto the lower South Island this morning then slowly moves northwards reaching the upper South Island overnight. This front continues onto the North Island during Wednesday.

Mainly dry for the North Island today, a shower or two possible about some extremities. The east coast is mainly sunny. Heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island, torrential falls possible especially south of Greymouth. Mainly dry in the east with thick high cloud, rain moves into Southland this morning then pushes into Otago during the afternoon. Northerly winds will be a bit blustery especially about the alps where winds may gust to gale at times.

The odd shower for the western North Island on Wednesday, rain moves into the southwest in the afternoon with heavy falls possible about Taranaki. The east coast is mainly dry, rain pushes into Wairarapa in the afternoon. Heavy rain eases about the upper South Island from afternoon, rain spilling into Canterbury and Marlborough clears up during the afternoon. Rain about the lower South Island eases to showers in the afternoon and mostly clears by evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz